When the Knicks hired Derek Fisher, the move was criticized due to Fisher’s lack of coaching experience.
Not only had he never been a head coach, he’d never even been an assistant. Sure, he has a good excuse – Fisher was stilling playing 33 days ago – though that doesn’t make the move smart on New York’s end.
But when the 2014-15 NBA seasons begins, Fisher will have coaching experience.
Fisher will coach the Knicks’ summer-league team, the Knicks announced.
Summer league – the Knicks play in Las Vegas beginning July 11 – can be a useful tool for first-time coaches. Many see it as a particularly valuable time for learning substitution patterns, and there are other nuances to pick up.
Fisher’s team will feature Tim Hardaway Jr., Shane Larkin, Cole Aldrich and recent second-round draft picks Cleanthony Early and Thanasis Antetokounmpo.
If Carmelo Anthony leaves New York in free agency, Fisher can also use the summer league to adjust to coaching a roster barely above D-League quality.
